Synchronous scanning terrestrial networks for measurements for crowdsourcing and positioning

Abstract

A mobile device synchronously scans different terrestrial networks for positioning measurements to align the scans in time. With minimal time difference between the scans, the positioning measurements from the different terrestrial networks may be used for crowdsourcing or position determination. The mobile device may synchronously scan a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and a local area wireless network so that positioning measurement derived from the scans are aligned in time. A local area wireless network is, e.g., a wireless local area networks (WLANs) or wireless personal area network (WPANs) but does not include cellular networks or satellite networks. The scans may be scheduled at a hardware level to ensure tight synchronization with near-zero time difference between the scans. Alternatively, the scans may be synchronized at a software level with only scans that occur within a time difference threshold from each other are used for crowdsourcing or positioning.

Description

BACKGROUNDBackground Field[0001]The subject matter disclosed herein relates to electronic devices, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for use in or with a mobile device to synchronize scans from multiple terrestrial networks to obtain positioning measurements for crowdsourcing or to be used together for positioning and methods and apparatuses for crowdsourcing using data from synchronized scans.Relevant Background[0002]Obtaining accurate position information for mobile devices, such as cellular telephones or other wireless communication devices, is becoming prevalent in the communications industry. A common means to determine the location of a device is to use a satellite positioning system (SPS), such as the well-known Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which employ a number of satellites that are in orbit around the Earth. Other means commonly used to determine the location of a device includes terrestrial based po...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach minimizes position errors and reduces wake-up power consumption by ensuring scans are aligned, enabling accurate indoor positioning and improving database growth and maintenance through synchronized terrestrial network data.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, SPS positioning is often not available or inaccurate within indoor locations, where terrestrial based positioning is particularly useful.

Consequently, database growth and maintenance is compromised.

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